Nonmucosal predominantly serosal eosinophilic enteritis. A case report

A unique case of eosinophilic enteritis with predominant serosal involvement and mucosal sparing, ascites and abdominal adenopathy is reported with computed tomography (CT) and barium study correlation. The clinical presentation may mimic lymphoma or granulomatous disease, (e.g. tuberculosis) but peripheral eosinophilia is a strong differentiating point.     

艾滋病合并腹部结核的CT表现

目的 研究艾滋病(AIDS)合并腹部结核的CT表现.方法 回顾性分析33例经病理、病原学证实及临床诊断艾滋病合并腹部结核的腹部CT扫描表现.结果 33例AIDS合并腹部结核患者腹部CT示腹部淋巴结肿大23例(69.7%,23/33);肝脾肿大10例(30.3%,10/33);脾内多发低密度结节14例(42.4%,14/33),其中脾内弥漫粟粒状低密度结节9例(27.3%,9/33);肝内低密度结节7例(21. 2%,7/33),其中肝脓肿1例(3.0%,1/33);腹膜及大网膜增厚5例(15.2%,5/33),其中伴腹腔积液2例(6.1%,2/33);回盲部肠壁不规则增厚4例(12.1%,4/33);腰椎骨质破坏伴椎旁脓肿及左腰大肌脓肿1例(3.0%,1/33),腰大肌脓肿1例(3.0%,1/33).结论 AIDS合并腹部结核常表现肝脾结核、腹部淋巴结结核、肠结核及腹膜结核等,CT对病灶的检出有重要意义.     

Abdominal tuberculosis: CT findings

The computed tomographic (CT) characteristics of intraabdominal tuberculosis are not specific. A recent article from South Africa proposed a set of criteria that included high density ascites and mesenteric involvement, consisting of thickening and adenopathy, as possible criteria for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis by CT. Review of three additional cases of abdominal tuberculosis showing these findings supports the criteria defined in the earlier study. Although not definitive, these findings in the appropriate clinical setting should suggest the possibility of tuberculosis.     

Abdominal CT findings of disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare in AIDS

Disseminated infection from Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) has recently been recognized as a common and serious complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The authors report the computed tomographic (CT) findings of 17 patients with AIDS and disseminated MAI referred for abdominal CT examination. Multiple large retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymph nodes were demonstrated in 14 patients (82%). MAI involvement was confirmed within abdominal lymph nodes in six patients by fine-needle percutaneous aspiration (five patients) or postmortem examination (one patient) and within enlarged peripheral lymph nodes in two other patients. The authors concluded that large, bulky, intraabdominal adenopathy in AIDS patients should suggest the diagnosis of MAI infection as well as other known causes of adenopathy, including lymphoma and metastatic Kaposi sarcoma. The authors recommend percutaneous aspiration of enlarged intraabdominal lymph nodes to establish the correct diagnosis.     

腹腔结核的CT表现

目的评价CT诊断腹腔结核的价值。方法回顾性分析经手术病理或抗痨治疗确诊的腹腔结核16例CT表现,其中男8例,女8例。年龄20～66岁,平均36.4岁。结果腹腔淋巴结肿大(n=11),肠系膜肿块(n=6),腹水(n=6,多为限制性),网膜增厚(n=7),肠壁增厚(n=6),胸水(n=2),胰腺结节(n=1)。腹腔淋巴结肿大(以肠系膜、胰周淋巴结为主),主要表现为因中央干酪样坏死而呈环形或多房样强化,并有部分淋巴结钙化,且腹腔淋巴结受累程度明显重于腹膜后间隙淋巴结。结核性腹膜炎时腹水密度较高,系膜、网膜上有斑片状及结节状病灶,肠曲粘连固定。结论密切结合临床、实验室检查及CT表现,有望提高腹腔结核诊断准确性。     

High-attenuation lymphadenopathy in AIDS patients: significance of findings at CT.

A retrospective evaluation was performed of the location and attenuation characteristics of abdominal and pelvic lymphadenopathy, identified at dynamic sequential bolus computed tomography (CT) in 69 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Lymph node appearance at CT was characterized as hyperattenuating, isoattenuating, or hypoattenuating relative to the iliopsoas muscle. The significance of finding hyperattenuating adenopathy in the patient population was evaluated. Thirty-three patients had hyperattenuating adenopathy, including 26 with the epidemic form of Kaposi sarcoma (KS). Of 38 patients with epidemic KS, 26 had hyperattenuating, 11 had isoattenuating, and one had hypoattenuating lymphadenopathy. The positive predictive value of hyperattenuating adenopathy for epidemic KS was 79%. These findings were statistically significant at the 95% confidence interval (P < .005). Hyperattenuating lymphadenopathy, identified on dynamic sequential bolus CT scans in AIDS patients, was seen with disseminated KS in approximately 80% of cases.     

CT of peritoneal lymphomatosis

The CT and clinical findings are presented in seven patients with diffuse peritoneal malignancy caused by non-Hodgkin lymphoma. All seven patients had CT evidence of ascites, omental infiltration, and peritoneal implants mimicking carcinomatosis. Bulky retroperitoneal or mesenteric adenopathy was present in only one patient. Four of the seven patients had documented AIDS. Paracentesis provided a diagnosis of lymphoma in only one of the seven patients. In the other six patients, the final diagnosis was established by surgery (three patients), by autopsy (one patient), by laparoscopy (one patient), and by guided needle aspiration (one patient). Although uncommon, lymphoma should be considered in patients who have diffuse peritoneal malignancy, particularly those who are at risk for AIDS.     

AIDS合并播散性结核的影像学表现

目的探讨获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）合并播散性结核的影像学表现,提高对该病的认识。资料与方法回顾性分析19例AIDS合并播散性结核患者的影像学资料。结果19例中,8例累及2个不相邻部位,4例累及2个以上不相邻部位;肺部受累17例,胸膜受累4例,纵隔淋巴结受累3例,颈部淋巴结受累2例,腹部淋巴结受累3例,胰腺受累1例,腰椎受累1例。结论AIDS合并播散性结核可累及多个器官、系统,以肺部最常见,其次为淋巴结、胸膜等部位,其影像学表现较无免疫功能损害者所患结核复杂且不典型。     

Retroperitoneal and pelvic CT of patients with AIDS: primary and secondary involvement of the genitourinary tract.

Although genitourinary tract disorders are common in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), little attention has been paid to their manifestations on computed tomographic (CT) scans. The authors reviewed the CT scans of 86 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus for CT manifestations of primary or secondary involvement of the genitourinary tract. Genitourinary tract abnormalities identified in the 86 patients included nephromegaly in 34 (40%), hilar adenopathy in 30 (35%), bladder wall thickening in 19 (22%), medullary hyperattenuation in 12 (14%), renal calcifications in seven (8%), adnexal masses in five (6%), hydronephrosis in four (5%), pyelonephritis in three (3%), renal abscesses in three (3%), and solid renal masses in three (3%). Although these abnormalities are seen on CT scans in many other diseases, in the AIDS patient they often indicate the presence of an AIDS-related renal disease or involvement of the genitourinary tract by an AIDS-related neoplasm or infection.     

AIDS-related lymphomas: evaluation by abdominal CT

Recent evidence indicates that individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or those at high risk for AIDS have an increased occurrence of lymphoma. AIDS-related lymphomas (ARLs) often present with an advanced stage of disease and highly malignant histologic subtypes. This study reviewed the abdominal computed tomographic (CT) findings in 29 patients with ARL, including ten with Hodgkin disease (HD) and 19 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Focal splenic and hepatic involvement was more common in both AIDS-related HD (10%) and NHL (26%) than reported in the non-AIDS population. In addition, mesenteric lymphadenopathy was demonstrated in 20% of patients with AIDS-related HD, compared with less than 5% in non-AIDS patients. In this series, patients with NHL had pelvic nodal masses in 37%, bowel involvement in 26%, and renal lesions in 11%. The authors conclude that ARLs are highly aggressive neoplasms that often present with atypical features compared with lymphomas in other patients. Potential problems in the CT interpretation of ARL for homosexual men are discussed.     

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: patterns of recurrence after cystectomy as determined by CT

CT scans have been recommended for examination of patients at risk for recurrent transitional cell carcinoma after cystectomy. For CT to be useful in this regard, the location and type of recurrences must be known, so that appropriate scans can be made. Therefore, we retrospectively studied CT scans in 27 postcystectomy patients with recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to identify the type and location of the recurrent disease. Recurrence was documented by biopsy in 18 patients and by progression of disease shown on serial CT scans in nine patients. All 27 patients had pelvic CT, and 23 had concomitant abdominal CT. Tumor recurred at the cystectomy site in 10 (37%) of 27 patients, pelvic adenopathy was present in 18 (67%) of 27 patients, and retroperitoneal adenopathy was present in 13 (57%) of 23 patients. Tumor recurrence at the cystectomy site was associated with pelvic adenopathy in seven of 10 patients, and the cystectomy site was the solitary site of disease in the remaining three patients. Conversely, in 11 of 18 patients with pelvic adenopathy no recurrence was seen at the cystectomy site. Combined retroperitoneal and pelvic adenopathy was identified in 11 of 23 patients, but two patients had retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy as their only site of recurrence. Hepatic metastases were seen in seven (30%) of 23 patients; six of these seven patients had metastases elsewhere. In four of five patients in whom underestimation of recurrent disease occurred, the deep pelvis and/or deep perineal space were involved. Our results show that the pelvis is the most common site for recurrence. Cystectomy site or retroperitoneal nodal recurrences are usually accompanied by pelvic adenopathy, but the converse is not as common. Our findings of deep perineal and isolated abdominal recurrences indicate that proper protocol for CT follow-up of the postcystectomy patient should include abdominal scans and scans through the perineum.     

Intestinal disease in acquired immunodeficiency: evaluation by CT

Intestinal symptoms affect most AIDS patients at some point in their disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of CT in this setting. A total of 339 abdominal CT exams were reviewed for signs of intestinal disease. Abdominal CT scans of 45 patients with intestinal symptoms were compared with colonoscopy and histologic data. The CT results were correlated with CD4 ⁺ T-lymphocyte counts and patient survival. More than 14 % of all abdominal CT exams displayed signs of enteric disease. Of the 45 patients studied with both CT and colonoscopy, 35 (78 %) had signs of intestinal disease by CT. Of these 35 patients, colonoscopic signs of an intestinal lesion were found in 29 and histologic proof of disease was established in 30 cases. Colonoscopy and histology detected 8 lesions missed by CT. There were 14 cases of unspecific colitis, 15 cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis, and 4 cases of enteric tuberculosis as per biopsy. Five patients presented with Kaposi's sarcoma and 1 with a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Neither colonoscopic nor CT signs of intestinal disease did reliably distinguish between histologic subgroups. Specifically, CMV colitis could not be distinguished from unspecific colitis. CD4 ⁺ T-lymphocyte counts for histologic subgroups were not significantly different, either. No colonoscopic or histologic feature predicted survival, whereas low CD4 counts and ascites on CT indicated a poor prognosis. Whereas CT detects signs of intestinal disease in most AIDS patients, these signs remain largely unspecific. Colonoscopy and biopsies provide no consistently valid standard with which to compare CT because of controversial sensitivity and specificity of these methods. The CT technique detects small bowel as well as extraintestinal disease. Therefore, CT is an important diagnostic modality in abdominal disease of immunocompromised patients. Received 17 October 1996; Revision received 20 January 1997; Accepted 24 February 1997     

Pharyngeal Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with AIDS

The radiographic appearance of gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with AIDS has been described previously, but little attention has been paid to pharyngeal involvement. This study compared the radiographic findings of pharyngeal Kaposi's sarcoma in eight patients with AIDS and dysphagia to those of visual inspection by laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy. Barium pharyngography (six patients) demonstrated nodular lesions without ulceration, ranging in extent from a single nodule to extensive confluent disease. CT (two patients) showed nodular or polypoid intraluminal protrusions, distortion of valleculae and pyriform sinuses, infiltration of deep-tissue planes, and adenopathy. A 4-mm nodular lesion was not seen on pharyngography. Radiographic evaluation provided supplemental information in six patients, especially regarding inferior extent of disease in four whose bulky lesions precluded adequate visual assessment. CT aided in defining deep-tissue-plane involvement and extent of nodal disease. It is concluded that barium pharyngography and CT are useful in the diagnostic evaluation of possible Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with AIDS and dysphagia.     

Intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumors: CT findings and clinicopathological correlations in 13 cases

PURPOSE: We report computed tomography (CT) findings in 13 patients with a primary abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 13 cases (12 men, 1 woman, mean age=24.8 years) were found in our hospital database between 1991 and 2003. Clinical, CT and histopathological features were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Peritoneal involvement was the most common feature. In 10 cases, several lobulated peritoneal soft tissue masses (with a mean of four masses per patient) were seen. Two patients had diffused irregular peritoneal carcinomatosis without any distinct peritoneal masses. One patient had a solitary mass in the pelvic space. The main sites of peritoneal involvement were the pelvic space (n=7), omentum (n=5), retroperitoneal space (n=4), small bowel mesentery (n=3), paracolic gutter (n=2 on the right and n=1 on the left), transverse colon mesentery (n=1), peri-splenic space (n=1), peri-hepatic space (n=1). The soft tissue masses were often bulky (mean 6cm, range 1-28cm), lobulated and heterogeneous with hypodense areas (in 73% of cases). In six cases, moderate ascites was seen. In one case of pelvic involvement, unilateral hydronephrosis was seen. Adenopathies were present in seven cases at the time of the diagnosis (at intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal and pelvic sites in six patients and in the groin in one patient). Five patients had liver metastases (four lesions per case excepted one patient with 30 metastases). Associated thoracic metastases were seen in three patients. The diagnosis was confirmed with four CT-guided percutaneous biopsies. CONCLUSION: Although CT features are nonspecific, the diagnosis of desmoplastic small round cell tumor may be suspected in young men with multiple bulky heterogeneous peritoneal soft tissue masses. Imaging is useful for staging and also to guide biopsies.     

CT findings of abdominal tuberculosis in 12 patients.

Our purpose was to evaluate the Computed Tomography (CT) findings of the abdominal tuberculosis (TBC) retrospectively which was diagnosed histopatologically. This study included 12 patients. All patients were evaluated by abdominal CT study. Most findings of CT studies were mesenteric calcified or noncalcified lymphadenopathies, ascites, thickened intestinal wall located on the right lower quadrant of abdomen, thickening of peritoneum, mottled soft-tissue densities in omentum and mesenterium. In addition, one of the patients had bilateral calcified adrenal glands and one of them had calcified mass in adrenal gland. If peritoneal thickening, ascites, abdominal lymphadenophaties and thickened intestinal walls are obtained, TBC should be considered in differential diagnosis in developing countries.     

Primary serous papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum: CT findings

AIM: To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of primary serous papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical data and imaging studies of 36 women aged 37-85 years with primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum were retrospectively evaluated. Twenty-seven patients presented with general abdominal complaints; all had elevated levels of CA-125. Thirty-two women were post-menopausal, four had had bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. RESULTS: The most common findings on pre-operative abdominal CT, performed in 30 patients, were a variable amount of ascites (n = 29), omental involvement (n = 28), irregular parietal peritoneum thickening (n = 22) and mural thickening of the sigmoid colon (n = 10). Thoracic findings included enlarged cardiophrenic nodes (n = 15) and pleural effusion (n = 11). Six patients had unilateral or bilateral adnexal masses of soft tissue density, which proved to be surface serous papillary carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Diffuse peritoneal disease on CT in patients with normal-sized ovaries or following bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, with elevated level of serum CA-125, but without an identifiable primary tumour, should suggest the diagnosis of primary serous papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum. Associated adnexal masses or focal bowel wall thickening may be seen, representing surface involvement by this tumour.     

上腹部病变门腔静脉间隙结构变化的CT观察

目的 探讨上腹部病变对门腔静脉间隙的影响.资料与方法 回顾性分析68例经临床或病理证实的上腹部病变患者的CT影像资料,重点观察门腔静脉间隙的CT变化.结果 59例有门腔静脉间隙改变的患者中,门腔静脉间隙淋巴结改变42例(71.2%),肝尾状叶增大8例(13.6%),血管迂曲增多8例(13.6%),胆管增粗2例(3.4%),腹水4例(6.8%),病变直接累及门腔静脉间隙6例(10%).结论 上腹部良恶性疾病在一定时期会引起门腔静脉间隙发生改变,包括淋巴结改变、尾状叶增大、血管增多迂曲、胆管增粗和腹水.     

Inferior hilar window

The authors undertook a study to determine the ability to detect mass or adenopathy in the "inferior hilar window," a normally avascular region inferior to the shadow of the right pulmonary artery and vein and anterior to the descending left pulmonary artery on lateral chest radiographs. Fifty patients with normal results of thoracic computed tomography (CT) and 25 with unilateral or bilateral hilar masses or adenopathy (defined as opacity greater than 10 mm in diameter) were selected retrospectively. Patients with concomitant pulmonary masses or consolidation at CT that might be confused with or obscure an inferior hilar mass or adenopathy were excluded from study. The 75 corresponding lateral chest radiographs were then evaluated blindly. Forty-seven of the 50 normal cases were correctly interpreted (specificity = 94%). The anterior walls of the right and left lower lobe bronchi were seen in 36% and 84% of normal cases, respectively; the average thickness was 2 mm. Of the 25 patients with inferior hilar masses, 22 were recognized as having abnormalities (sensitivity = 88%); two of the three patients with false-negative results had right hilar masses. Overall accuracy was 92%. For only eight (32%) of the 25 patients was the laterality of abnormality correctly diagnosed. Evaluation of the inferior hilar window on lateral chest radiographs is accurate in assessing the presence or absence of inferior hilar mass or adenopathy.     

The lymphogram in abdominal tuberculosis

Lymphograms of 11 patients with histologically proven abdominal tuberculosis have been assessed in an attempt to define a typical pattern of appearance in retroperitoneal lymph glands. Glandular enlargement, poor glandular filling and lymphovascular obstruction were present. A gradient of abnormality with more marked adenopathy in the upper para-aortic chain extending to a lesser involvement below in the iliac chain was demonstrated in keeping with a retrograde spread of the tuberculosis process from the abdominal lymphatics cauded along the retroperitoneal chain. Lymphography may be valuable in cases where data from clinical observations and routine radiological studies is inconclusive in cases of vague abdominal disease.     

Thoracic and abdominal manifestations of lymphoma occurring in the immunocompromised patient.

Organ transplant and AIDS patients are at a much higher risk for developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma than is the general population. This increased risk is directly related to chronic immunosuppression and often is associated with viral infections. In contrast to lymphomas occurring in nonimmunocompromised patients, these tumors typically are of higher grade, are more aggressive, have a worse prognosis, and exhibit a higher frequency of extranodal disease. The most frequent organs involved are the head and neck, bowel, liver, and lungs. Thoracic manifestations of ARL and PTLD are similar, consisting of nodular, diffuse alveolar, and interstitial pulmonary disease, mild to moderate mediastinal adenopathy, and pleural effusions. Of these findings, pulmonary nodules are the most specific, although they can be difficult to differentiate from Kaposi's sarcoma and opportunistic infections. Abdominal findings are also similar for the two diseases, with the most common lesions appearing as low attenuation, hypoechoic masses in the solid abdominal organs; ulcerating nodular or diffusely infiltrating bowel lesions; and bulky retroperitoneal, mesenteric, or omental adenopathy. The identification of solid masses in the abdominal organs in AIDS and transplant patients is highly suspicious for ARL and PTLD. Due to the overlap of imaging characteristics of different pathologies, however, biopsy usually is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Both ARL and PTLD respond to therapy; however, the prognosis for patients with ARL is uniformly poor, whereas the prognosis for treated PTLD is remarkably good. An awareness of the imaging characteristics of ARL and particularly PTLD can have significant impact on prognosis by allowing for timely diagnosis and therapy.